Warning to Residents over Scam

I'm urging locals to be vigilant following reports of a vicious telephone scam targeting the community’s elderly and vulnerable.

I became aware of the scam when local constituents began contacting my electorate office concerned by a suspicious telephone call they had received.

They were contacted by someone claiming they had paid too much tax and were owed thousands of dollars as a refund.

They were then asked to send hundreds of dollars of their own money to reclaim the back-tax, and that’s when the alarm bells started ringing. One woman was even told they would come to her door to make the exchange.

These are a heinous attempt to trick innocent people out of their money.

This is a despicable act perpetrated by low-lives. I have asked the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to investigate this fraud. In the meantime I would urge people to be extremely vigilant and remember if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Do not under any circumstances give out personal information, never send money or give credit card or online account details, and hang-up the phone.

If in the unlikely case somebody comes to your door, ask to see their identification. You do not have to let them in and they have to leave if you ask them to. Call 000 in case of an emergency.

If you believe you have been the target of a scam you can report it to the SCAMwatch ACCC info centre on 1300 795 995 or visit scamwatch.gov.au to learn more.

You can apply to go on the Do Not Call Register by phoning 1300 792 958 or contact my office on (02) 9349 6007 for more information.